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Racks,cooling and UPS for BrightSign units

Can anyone recommend any racks for storing BrightSign units (installation on site)?

I will have 18 units of LS422.

Would it need any extra cooling for long term run (I am not sure how much heat they generate)? They will be located in confined space (not a lot of air movement, but no other heat sources).
Also can any one recommend Uninterrupted Power Supply to support these units in case of short power outage?

7 comments

  • 1
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    JRB Technical

    Sounds like you are in the UK or Europe, I usually recommend Middle Atlantic Racks, but probably not cost effective because of import to that area.

    Maybe something like this:

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B010QZPQSY/

    If only the 18 units, you could do 2 each on a tray for 9 trays that are 1U high:

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rack-Shelf-Vented-185mm-Allmetalparts/dp/B00APFFC1C/

    These have slots in the bottom, so you could bolt the units to the tray, at least some holes should be able to be lined up.

    This would also give you room (6U with that rack) for Rack Mount UPS and power strips for all the power supplies.

    It doesn't look like that rack includes fans, but looks like there are places for them on top. I would think that this should be sufficient to help remove heat from the rack into the confined space.  The confined space should have some sort of ventilation to remove heat from the space.

    I prefer APC UPS products, but most others these days are fairly good. Since you have space, a rackmount unit would be better, but be careful as some of them are quite deep, and may not fit in whichever rack you choose.

    With 18 units you have approximately 200 watts of power spec, probably less actual. 

    Using a 500 watt/750 VA unit would give you about 24 minutes of run time.

    These are all just suggestions based on what you have stated, and may or may not actually work for your situation.

    You need to check to make sure you have everything you need and is installed properly. If you have any doubts, please check with a AV Professional contractor in your area to make sure you are meeting all applicable laws and codes for your location.

    John

  • 0
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    Adam Kaczmarek

    Hi John,

    Thanks for your input, it helped me a lot.

    And yes, I'm located in UK, probably should mention it straight from beginning.

    About the fans for the rack mount. I don't want to put a shelf full of fans inside of the rack, but install fans in designated places on the case (as you mentioned).

     

    I found this: AC Fan power Cord with Manual Speed Control

    http://www.coolerguys.com/840556089346.html

    However I can't find anything like this in UK / European online stores :/

    I guess I could just get any PC fan, AC adapter and do some wiring myself, but I want to avoid any DIY solutions.

    How should I approach the topic of installing extra fans in my case?

     

  • 0
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    JRB Technical

    Ok, This would still be DIY, but a little simpler:

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/120mm-Width-Plastic-Blades-220-240V/dp/B00GYSVTI4/

    120mm fan for 220-240 VAC so it would just be extending wires and just attaching UK plugs.

     

    I also saw some 120mm fans with USB cables on them, that would run off a standard USB charger, but reviews made is sound like they barley moved any air, so probably not a good option.

    Sorry I can't be of more help, I'm used to US resources, so not used to what might be readily available in that part of the world.

    John

     

     

  • 0
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    Adam Kaczmarek

    Thanks John. I will look a bit more, maybe I will find something with regulated fan speed that is 'ready out of the box' solution.

    I will post back once I find it.

  • 0
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    Brandon

    Since the LS models have plastic cases unlike the higher models which have metal cases, there's less heat dissipation through the chassis, so ideally you'd want some kind of channeling or ducting to move the air through the players, rather than simply around it.

    Most USB-powered fans won't move a lot of air at all since they're running only at 5V where PC fans typically expect 12V, so the fan is running at way lower RPM than its spec.  Some do have voltage converters and can run at higher voltages for higher speed though.

    What it sounds like you're after is an automatic fan speed controller with temperature sensors and a few fans.
    Perhaps something similar to this, not using the rackmount panel.  Sorry I don't know of a UK source.
    http://www.coolerguys.com/840556091677.html

  • 0
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    Adam Kaczmarek
  • 0
    Avatar
    Brandon

    That should be more than adequate ventilation.  The LS players don't get very hot, but it's always better to be too cool than too hot, at least with technology.

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